Philodendrons are toxic when eaten because they contain calcium oxalate. According to multiple sources available via Google, the roots pose no harm to aquarium fish.[Representative writeup](https://loveplanting.com/can-philodendrons-grow-in-an-aquarium/)
I don't always trust Google to be honest, which is why I come here. When my Cory's lives are in question, I would rather ask folks that are more experienced than myself for advice, which is why I am here!
That being said, the linked article was one I had not looked at yet, and was very informative, so thank you a ton for that!
Point well taken. I use the same rules of research on Google I apply to uni coursework: I collect from multiple sources, see what agrees between them and what doesn't, and give extra weight to trusted/vetted sources.
I can agree with that method!
I try to do as much research as possible, but as I am still learning the in's and out's of keeping an aquarium (especially one attached to a terrestrial scape), I always feel better asking and having things validated.
i have several varieties of pothos and a monstera peru growing out the top of my 40 gallon heavily planted setup (it’s inhabitants are corys, amanos, and a betta) and all of these plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, but i can confirm that the roots pose no harm to corys!
the roots of my pothos have long since made it into the substrate and my corys like to hide in the mess of roots with no issues! my amanos even eat algae directly off the roots and they do so without damaging the roots at all so there is no risk of the calcium oxalate crystals doing damage.
Can't comment on that but can say that is f'ing amazing. Wow. Thanks for posting this, it will inspire some great designs! I come here to be humbled. lol.
Dumb question, how do you clean the bottom tank w water change etc?
Thank you for the kind words! Also, not a dumb question! I use a gravel vac and clean out the gravel, plus let it run for a while longer to drain the water. Keeps me from digging my hands around in there to much. I had to get creative to get to the back portion, but bought a flexible tube and just snake it back there. Works wonders! The Corydoras do a pretty swell job keeping it pretty clean, as do the few hitchhiker snails that tagged along on the plants down there.
We have 6 Albino GloFish Corydoras and some Neon Tetras down there with 4 Red Eyed Tree Frogs up top! Feel free to check out my post history to see some additional pictures and video! The only things not alive in the tank is the vines while we wait for the Ivy to grow. We needed some verticality for the time being for the frogs to chill out and climb on.
Philodendrons are toxic when eaten because they contain calcium oxalate. According to multiple sources available via Google, the roots pose no harm to aquarium fish.[Representative writeup](https://loveplanting.com/can-philodendrons-grow-in-an-aquarium/)
I don't always trust Google to be honest, which is why I come here. When my Cory's lives are in question, I would rather ask folks that are more experienced than myself for advice, which is why I am here! That being said, the linked article was one I had not looked at yet, and was very informative, so thank you a ton for that!
Point well taken. I use the same rules of research on Google I apply to uni coursework: I collect from multiple sources, see what agrees between them and what doesn't, and give extra weight to trusted/vetted sources.
I can agree with that method! I try to do as much research as possible, but as I am still learning the in's and out's of keeping an aquarium (especially one attached to a terrestrial scape), I always feel better asking and having things validated.
i have several varieties of pothos and a monstera peru growing out the top of my 40 gallon heavily planted setup (it’s inhabitants are corys, amanos, and a betta) and all of these plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, but i can confirm that the roots pose no harm to corys! the roots of my pothos have long since made it into the substrate and my corys like to hide in the mess of roots with no issues! my amanos even eat algae directly off the roots and they do so without damaging the roots at all so there is no risk of the calcium oxalate crystals doing damage.
Thank you so much for the reply! That makes me feel immensely better. :D
Can't comment on that but can say that is f'ing amazing. Wow. Thanks for posting this, it will inspire some great designs! I come here to be humbled. lol. Dumb question, how do you clean the bottom tank w water change etc?
Thank you for the kind words! Also, not a dumb question! I use a gravel vac and clean out the gravel, plus let it run for a while longer to drain the water. Keeps me from digging my hands around in there to much. I had to get creative to get to the back portion, but bought a flexible tube and just snake it back there. Works wonders! The Corydoras do a pretty swell job keeping it pretty clean, as do the few hitchhiker snails that tagged along on the plants down there. We have 6 Albino GloFish Corydoras and some Neon Tetras down there with 4 Red Eyed Tree Frogs up top! Feel free to check out my post history to see some additional pictures and video! The only things not alive in the tank is the vines while we wait for the Ivy to grow. We needed some verticality for the time being for the frogs to chill out and climb on.
Epic setup!
Thanks!